Migratory Birds Benefit from Partnerships

By Colleen Hartel

Posted on May 12, 2015

Image Credit: Steve Maslowski, USFWS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that more than $18 million will go to fund 27 collaborative conservation projects across the Americas through the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) this year.

NMBCA projects, which are used for conservation, research, monitoring, and management of neotropical migratory birds and their habitats, require at least 3-to-1 fund matching from non-federal partners. This year, the $3.8 million from federal sources leveraged $14.6 million in additional funding, an almost 4-to-1 match.

At least 75% of funds are required to be spent on projects outside the U.S. This year, funding will support projects in 24 countries. Since the program start, NMBCA grants and non-federal fund matching have totaled more than $240 million have funded 451 projects across 36 countries.

The United States has 386 neotropical bird species, which spend at least part of the non-breeding season in Latin America or the Caribbean.

The Wildlife Society has released a Policy Brief detailing the benefits of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to the species and wildlife managers.